Winter Visits
"But what do you do in the winter?"
It's the regular question from new visitors to Scilly. They look around at all the lovely summer activities: the boating, beaching, swimming, gig rowing, picnicking; and wonder what on earth the islands would be like without them: quiet, empty, windswept - boring?
But in many ways, for islanders, winter is the best time. The weather flashes from one extreme to another: from wild gales ("It's blowing a real hoolie", we say) to misty grey silence; from scudding clouds and rainbows to clear, bright winter sunshine. It never freezes in Scilly - a tiny smattering of snow once every few years is all we ever see - so the tender tropical plants stay green and vivid; the gorse continues to flower; and early narcissi are being picked for market before October is over: the islands' winter farming industry.
Wood burners and fires are lit; the curtains are closed at the Turk's Head, to keep the light and warmth in on a winter's Quiz Night; locals meet for suppers, windy walks round the Wingletang Downs, and bumpy crossings on the shopping boat to St Mary's. Art and craft evenings are arranged; building and decorating projects are tackled; we keep ourselves fit with Zumba and circuit training in the old Island Hall. Christmas brings a flurry of parties: carols sung into the wind by torchlit groups of children in wellies, fancy dress on New Year's Eve, any excuse for mulled wine and mince pies. Warmth creeps into the sun earlier than on the Mainland, and it's not a rare sight to see islanders working in their shirt sleeves in their February gardens, or children taking off their shoes to paddle in the icy edges of the early Spring sea.
Guests to the island are rare in the winter, and made welcome. They have to be of a hardy temperament: not to be put off by delays to flights because of cross-winds at Newquay, or waves crashing against the quay as they leap ashore from the Spirit.... But people have time to stop and chat in the winter months - our guests really enjoy feeling as though they are a part of the community for a few weeks, and may go away having made new friends on St Agnes.
Our Guest Cottage is open throughout the winter season (from 1 November to the week before Easter), and we charge exactly half of the summer season price - so from £400 for two people to £500 for five - which includes a seasonal selection of meals: hearty pies, cakes and warming soup among them. It is ideal for artists, writers, musicians - or anyone who would like to try the wild peace of the island outside the usual tourist season. If you'd like to know more about winter visits, please do give us a call.
It's the regular question from new visitors to Scilly. They look around at all the lovely summer activities: the boating, beaching, swimming, gig rowing, picnicking; and wonder what on earth the islands would be like without them: quiet, empty, windswept - boring?
But in many ways, for islanders, winter is the best time. The weather flashes from one extreme to another: from wild gales ("It's blowing a real hoolie", we say) to misty grey silence; from scudding clouds and rainbows to clear, bright winter sunshine. It never freezes in Scilly - a tiny smattering of snow once every few years is all we ever see - so the tender tropical plants stay green and vivid; the gorse continues to flower; and early narcissi are being picked for market before October is over: the islands' winter farming industry.
Wood burners and fires are lit; the curtains are closed at the Turk's Head, to keep the light and warmth in on a winter's Quiz Night; locals meet for suppers, windy walks round the Wingletang Downs, and bumpy crossings on the shopping boat to St Mary's. Art and craft evenings are arranged; building and decorating projects are tackled; we keep ourselves fit with Zumba and circuit training in the old Island Hall. Christmas brings a flurry of parties: carols sung into the wind by torchlit groups of children in wellies, fancy dress on New Year's Eve, any excuse for mulled wine and mince pies. Warmth creeps into the sun earlier than on the Mainland, and it's not a rare sight to see islanders working in their shirt sleeves in their February gardens, or children taking off their shoes to paddle in the icy edges of the early Spring sea.
Guests to the island are rare in the winter, and made welcome. They have to be of a hardy temperament: not to be put off by delays to flights because of cross-winds at Newquay, or waves crashing against the quay as they leap ashore from the Spirit.... But people have time to stop and chat in the winter months - our guests really enjoy feeling as though they are a part of the community for a few weeks, and may go away having made new friends on St Agnes.
Our Guest Cottage is open throughout the winter season (from 1 November to the week before Easter), and we charge exactly half of the summer season price - so from £400 for two people to £500 for five - which includes a seasonal selection of meals: hearty pies, cakes and warming soup among them. It is ideal for artists, writers, musicians - or anyone who would like to try the wild peace of the island outside the usual tourist season. If you'd like to know more about winter visits, please do give us a call.
